This terrifying Texan first haunted us on screen as a popular contestant on the third season of horror drag competition “Boulet Brothers’ Dragula,” and was ultimately resurrected to slay the show’s first ever “Titans” all-star season. She was also an innovative digital drag performer and producer during the lockdown era. From that period springs “Banshee,” the bloody frightening new live show that Evah Destruction and some “Dragula” sisters are bringing to NYC this weekend! [Cover photo: Davide Laffe]
Thotyssey: Evah, hello! Thanks for chatting today, in what must be the start of a busy month for you! Do you create tons more looks for the Spooky Season, or not more than you do throughout the year?
Evah Destruction: Hello there! Halloween and Pride season are usually the two moments in the year that have me thinking the most about what the heck I’m gonna pull out, as they are my busiest times as far as bookings go so. I always want to make sure it’s something that stands out! This month (October) is certainly a whirlwind when it comes along; I usually have at least one or two new looks prepared for the Spooky Season just to keep things fresh and updated. Sometimes it’s even just a new wig or a prop I perform with, too. It all depends on what’s inspiring me at the time!
The new season of Dragula has premiered, and you’re hosting a weekly viewing party at Oilcan Harry’s in Austin, Texas. What did you think?
This season is pretty stellar so far; I’m very impressed with the quality I’m seeing. The new ghouls are hungry and ready to fight for the crown, and are definitely whipping out the shade left and right! The extermination challenges are also pretty freaking intense already. But at this point that doesn’t surprise me–[showrunners and hosts] the Boulets certainly make you work for it.
You’re a Texas native! Texas drag is major, but it’s often generalized as being “pageanty.” Did you find it difficult to locate places for your darker aesthetic while you were coming up there? And have you seen things changing over the years as far as variety of drag presentation in that state?
So I moved back to Texas right before I got on Season 3 of Dragula, and I was in a very transitional stage in my life at the time… let alone my drag. I was very fortunate to have established myself well before Dragula, and before I really leaned into evolving my persona into a more alternative form. Dallas, Texas notably was very welcoming, surprisingly enough, at the time; they celebrated alternative drag more than what I would’ve expected! From what I saw, as long as you were professional, had a good attitude and were entertaining, you didn’t have too much to worry about.
I think the overall scene, especially now, has been craving some kind of change in its representation for years– not just in Texas or the South, but everywhere else, too. So I’ve definitely seen more places give more opportunities to the weirdos / freaks / geeks out there, and I love to see it!
Here’s a random question for you! Recently, a North Texas guy brought a guitar that Taylor Swift owned at an auction for $4000, just to destroy it on the spot! It wasn’t even autographed! Does that kind of story piss you off, or amuse you? Or both?
I’m not a Swiftie by any means; I think it depends on the intention and the message. It doesn’t necessarily piss me off, because at the end of the end if it’s your property… I guess if you want to destroy it….pop off sis, haha!
Your Dragula association began with Season 3 in 2019, which was really the big breakthough season that got lots of attention. Of course, Dragula is all about presenting creative alt-drag looks and surviving extermination challenges that could be gross, painful, scary or humiliating. Looking back, what were your favorite and least favorite moments of that experience?
Favorite moment would probably be winning two performance-based challenges back to back! “Monsters of Rock” will always carry a special place in my heart, and winning the “DnD” challenge too with the look I put together was the cherry on top. My least favorite moment was getting exterminated even after stapling myself, and not passing out. *wink*
You and your castmates exhibited such amazing creativity with your looks and approach to the challenges. Did that show really push you to a creative peak, or did it sometimes feel like that pressure was counterproductive?
Oh, I am very competitive and love the challenge of proving myself with a theme and a runway! Dragula absolutely had me pulling out all the stops to think and create looks I’d never even thought of doing before. It also inspired me to learn a lot of new skills along the way to help make those visions come to life. I work really well under pressure. Living with ADHD definitely helps with that, because sometimes you just end up doing something last minute and it ends up being some of your best work (I can only speak for myself there of course, haha).
You also had some big on-screen moments when you returned for the first Titans (the All-Stars of Dragula) season in 2022: you were part of a double save and a double elimination! Did your Titans experience feel very different from S3?
Oh, immensely! Titans was such a fast-paced and upgraded experience compared to simpler times during Season 3. Not to mention Titans also had a completely different format, so I went into it excited–but also terrified of the unknown. At the end of the day, I would say Season 3 gave me an appetizer, Titans served the full course meal… but no dessert, sadly.
I just watched you turning it out in Detox’s “Supersonic” video, along with The Vixen and Jade Sotomayor from back in 2016! How did that experience come about… and might we hear / see any original Evah tracks and music videos in the near future?
Oh my God “Supersonic,” what a treat it was to get to film with Detox; she holds such a special place in my heart! I’ve always wanted to put some kind of music out there, but I mean… I feel like we see that a lot from people who do these drag competitions at this point. I don’t know anymore, honestly; it’s more of a thing I’ll do when the time is right for it. Right now I’m focusing on other projects outside of drag shows, and stretching my theatrical legs by doing productions on the side. Maybe someday! Who knows.
Any thoughts on Dragula bosses The Boulet Brothers’ new original songs for the spooky season?
I really like what they’re putting out there! I think they both individually have such unique voices, and their songs are made to feature them in ways that celebrate them. Dracmorda hits higher notes and sounds very lovely singing more ballad style, while Swanthula has a growl and a bite to her, and she sounds best when she gets to snap a fierce line during a track.
You were a very prolific and entertaining digital drag performer and show producer during the lockdown era! Most people in the biz could never figure out how to make that work. Were you learning how to do things as you went, or did you already have a strong multimedia skillset going into it?
Definitely learned everything as I went. Technology is still proving to be a pain, even during other streaming moments I have to this day. But yeah, I really put my nose to the grindstone to figure it out when that’s all I could do during that time. I’m glad I did, because I love picking up skills that can be applied to other projects out there! Definitely not easy, and I have so much more respect for digital creators out there because of it!
The “Banshee” shows started in that digital era, and now they are live shows that you have taken on the road along with fellow Dragula alums Maddelynn Hatter, Louisianna Purchase and Vander Von Odd! “Banshee: Rise of the Blood Moon” will be at New York’s Red Eye on Oct. 11, 12th and 13th, where you all will be joined by local stars Xana Whoria and Julie J.
“Banshee” has given me the privilege to get to–even back then–see my sisters when we do the thing, you know? We all live busy, separated lives. It’s that time when we were streaming or putting on these live shows that we get to be together and share our art with not only the people who enjoy our show, but with each other as well. I cherish that so much, especially these days, the older I get. If you’re coming to our show, expect high levels of entertainment all around. We don’t pull any punches, and we throw everything we have out on that stage. You never know what to expect at a “Banshee” show if I’m gonna be honest; it’s always a hilarious, chaotic, beautiful, horrifying ride.
What else is coming up for you that you, and any closing thoughts?
As I said before, I’m diving into a more theatrical journey–so I’m doing local theater productions to kind of get back to my roots, even before I started doing drag years ago! So I’d say that’s notably the most significant thing I’ve got going on, and I’m excited beyond belief to see where that takes me! Other than that, I’m always traveling and always put on the wig and twirling (and swirling) somewhere out there–so if you see me, let’s grab a picture sometime!
Oh, and remember: reality TV is not always actual reality, kids!
Truth! Finally: what is your favorite horror movie monster / killer?
It would have to be Jigsaw from Saw. Love her work! 10 out of 10! I’m a big fan of gore and blood, and she keeps me fed, lol!
Happy Halloween, Evah!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Evah Destruction’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and DragQueenMerch.
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